LYNN — A Lynn furniture store was shut down last week by the city’s Public Health Department for flouting the governor’s order by continuing to operate despite its designation as a non-essential business.
In addition, a Lynn Police report details allegations of price gouging at the establishment, BD’s Furniture. But the Lynnway store owner denies the report’s claims that face masks and hand sanitizer were being sold at excessive prices.
Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered the statewide closure of all non-essential businesses through May 4, an emergency measure aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
However, a compliance check performed by the Lynn Public Health Department and Lynn Police Department on April 8 revealed that BD’s Furniture, a non-essential business, was still open, according to Michele Desmarais, the city’s public health director.
“The health department was doing spot checks to ensure that only essential businesses were open and we found BD’s Furniture store to be opened,” said Desmarais. “This is an ongoing investigation and it’s an ongoing public health emergency, and businesses and Lynn residents should comply with the directive from the governor and the mayor who ensure their safety and health.”
The furniture store, located at 730 Lynnway, was shut down by the health department immediately after the violation was determined and will not be cleared to open until the governor’s order is lifted, Desmarais said.
Another non-essential business that Desmarais declined to name was also found to be operational through the ongoing spot checks that the department is conducting until further notice.
According to the state website, the violations may result in a civil fine up to $300 or criminal charges.
“You’re putting the owners at risk, the people who work there and the people that visit,” said Desmarais about the violations.
Michael Donovan, the city’s Inspectional Services Department (ISD) chief, said there was also an alleged issue with price gouging at the store, but said the health and police departments were handling the matter.
Desmarais declined to address the price gouging claims, but a Lynn Police report reads that BD’s Furniture was reportedly selling face masks for $60 and hand sanitizer for $50, two products that have been in high demand during the coronavirus outbreak.
A police officer had responded to the store on the afternoon of April 8 to assist the city’s health department with the matter, but no further details were provided. No charges have been filed and the remainder of the investigation is being handled by the city, according to Lynn Police Lt. Michael Kmiec.
“Price gouging is illegal,” said EDIC/Lynn Executive Director James M, Cowdell. “If it is true, and this gentleman was trying to profit during a national health crisis, then he should be prosecuted.”
BD’s Furniture owner Arthur Tuffaha admitted his Lynn store was open, but denied the price gouging claims.
Tuffaha said the face masks were being sold as part of a family package, which included 50 pieces for $50 to $70 per box. Masks are about $1.20 apiece, but were not being sold separately at the store.
He said hand sanitizer was being sold in three different sizes, with one size retailing for about $3.99.
Tuffaha, who owns several other BD’s Furniture stores in Massachusetts, said the decision to shut his store down was “not fair,” and that by doing so, the health department was compromising the city’s health by preventing him from selling face masks and hand sanitizer.
He asserts that the decision will increase the number of coronavirus cases in the city, as he claims his store was one of the few that still had those products in stock.
“I feel it’s not fair what (happened) to me,” said Tuffaha, “I’m the only one who has it in Lynn. This is my duty to help all of my community, (to) sell hand sanitizers and masks. It’s not a high price for the family package. I saved a lot of lives because of selling these.”